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Starting June 1, worship will begin at 9:30 a.m.  We will worship at 9:30a.m. until the first Sunday after Labor Day.  Come early and come often this summer.

 

Greeter/Usher
Scripture Reader
Meal Delivery
Special Functions
Visitation
Childcare
Acolyte
Communion Server
Coffee Hour Hosts

If you are interested in helping in any of these areas, click here to sign up. Thank you!

There are several things going on after worship this weekend:

• Learn about the new Governance Structure - If you have questions about the New Governance Structure, the adult forum is your chance to learn more. The Governance Task Force will present the proposed model for First UCC. The church will vote on this new structure at the Annual Meeting in January. If you are interested in how the church organizes itself to do its work, please attend. If you are unable to attend but want to know more, please contact Pastor Todd.
• Exploring Membership at First UCC – this informational session will be held immediately following worship in the Church parlor.  If you are interested in finding out more about First UCC, please plan to attend. Child care is available.  New Member Sunday will be on November 17, 2013.  Please contact Pastor Todd or Jean Haslett with any questions.
• ACT/SAT Strategy Session – Are you a high school student? Is the ACT/SAT looming in your future? Are you wondering if you should take one or both again? Will Callahan, who brings ten years of experience in the test prep industry, will present tips and tricks that can help you get ready. Students and their parents welcome at 12:00pm in the High School Youth Room. 

We need more volunteers June 18, 25; July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Aug. 6, 13, 20, 27 from 10:45-12:30 at Jefferson Square Apartments. We’ll be serving meals to kids in need as one of many Northfield churches helping in this way each day at two locations. Add your name to the sign-up sheet on the SSR bulletin board and take an information sheet. Contact Matt Rohn if you have any questions. Nourish others & your soul.

Hearing in church can be a challenge for people with hearing loss.  Let’s talk about it.  First UCC will be hosting a panel discussion on hearing in religious services on Saturday June 15th at 10:00 am.  There will be discussion about the problems that hearing loss can cause for hearing in religious services and some solutions.  A temporary loop will be installed in the sanctuary.  If you have hearing aids and plan to attend, see your audiologist or hearing instrument dispenser to make sure your hearing aids will work with the loop.

Panelists include:
Pastor Todd Smith Lippert
Pastor Will Healy, Emmaus Church
Dr. Shannon Garlitz, Audiologist, AMC-Northfield
Debby Larsen, President, College City Sertoma

For questions or more information, please contact Shannon Garlitz.

All are invited to celebrate the ministry of Pastor Bob during worship and a reception immediately following on Sunday, June 2. Please join us in saying farewell and thanking Bob for his leadership and dedicated service to First UCC.

With the summer season approaching, the Church Council discussed the merits of moving worship time to 9:30AM starting June 9th.  Our hope that this will allow us to beat the heat and be more comfortable during the warmest days of the year.  The motion passed and we will begin meeting at 9:30AM on June 9th.  Worship will return to 10:30AM starting on September 15th.

Mary Ellen Ross, age 67, of Northfield, died Sunday May 5, 2013, at Three Links Reflections Care Suites. She was in Hospice after a long and courageous battle with what was most likely Alzheimer’s disease.

Mary Ellen Ross was born on Jan. 18, 1947, as the daughter of Helen Kemp Ross and Hugh J. Ross. She attended Catholic schools through college, earning a bachelor’s of science degree in psychology from Fordham University in 1968. Mary Ellen earned her master’s and doctorate degrees in 1974 in developmental psychology at Syracuse University with research focused on children. She continued her work with children with a post-doctoral fellowship at University of Colorado Medical Center in 1976-77. She was an adjunct faculty at several universities, as well as an elementary school counselor in Pennsylvania from 1974-1976.

Mary Ellen moved to Northfield and she joined the faculty at St. Olaf College in 1977. She taught in the psychology department for 30 years. Her courses included counseling, development, listening and communication. She was active in the women’s studies program and served as director of the college’s Teaching and Learning Center. She also worked as a therapist, primarily with children, and as an artist using the quilt form as medium to document her struggles with depression.

Mary Ellen was a member of First United Church of Christ and she enjoyed singing in the choir. Her family is grateful for a circle of church members and friends who were important in providing caring support in the last years of Mary Ellen’s life.

She is survived by her older brother, Donald K. Ross and his wife Helen Ross of New York City; and two nieces, Katherine and Margaret Ross. She also leaves behind many devoted friends.

A memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at First United Church of Christ, 300 Union St., Northfield.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Mary Ellen’s name to the church and will be designated to the good work of the Service and Social Responsibility committee.

After months of careful work and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Search Committee is pleased to recommend Rev. Abigail Henderson for our Associate Minister position.  An open house at the church on Saturday from 2-4 p.m. will give you all a chance to meet Abby and her partner Will.  On Sunday morning, Abby and Todd will lead worship together.  Immediately following the service, there will be a special congregational meeting to vote on whether to receive Abby as our new Associate Minister.   Please join the celebration this weekend and extend a warm welcome to Abby.

 

At the invitation of Rep. David Bly, Pastor Todd was the guest chaplain for the House of Representatives on Monday.  Click here for his prayer.